TEMPORARY Seasonal Employee – Highline Lake State Park

Department Information

Description of Job

Are you passionate about protecting Colorado’s natural resources? Highline Lake State Park is seeking dedicated, hard-working individuals to join our team, caring for one of the most ecologically diverse state parks. Highline Lake is an ideal base camp for exploring the Grand Valley and draws national and international visitors seeking mountain biking, hiking, and boating adventures.
The park is heavily visited by families and school groups and an ideal candidate would be comfortable providing excellent customer service to visitors of all backgrounds.

Positions begin in March, April and May 2025. Successful completion and passing of background screening may be required for placement in this position.

This application is for all current, open seasonal positions at the park. Please select which position(s) you are applying for.
PARK RANGER: A customer service based position that performs a variety of work activities in the conservation and operation of the park while ensuring public safety and natural resource protection. (This position is oriented to provide employees with necessary skills and experience to make them an ideal candidate for the full time Park Ranger positions within Colorado Parks and Wildlife.)
Preferred candidate will:

• Have knowledge of Highline Lake State Park rules, regulations, and fees
• Have principles and processes for providing excellent customer service to visitors in person, on the phone, and through written communication such as email and social media
• Be willing and able to enforce park rules and regulations through initiating direct contact with visitors and issuing verbal warnings, written warnings, and/or citations
• Be comfortable and able to provide interpretive and educational programs to park visitors of diverse backgrounds
• Utilize active listening and critical thinking with visitor contacts and emergencies
• Be goal-oriented and able to demonstrate prior teamwork experience
• Work with young park visitors to complete the Junior Ranger Program and conduct swearing-in ceremonies
• Be bilingual or speak/understand basic Spanish
• Be a current student or recent college graduate with an emphasis in natural resources

• Be 21 years of age
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Complete and pass a criminal background check
• Be currently certified in First Aid/CPR/AED prior to start date
• Have cash handling experience to include making accurate change and operating a point of sale system
• Be able to work varied shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Be able to perform physically strenuous outdoor activities in all weather conditions
• Be willing to lift 50-100 pounds repeatedly through the course of a workday
• Successfully complete the CPW Seasonal Ranger Training with OC-exposure (3-day training in May)
• Successfully complete the Basic Marine Operator Training (typically in May or June)
• Successfully complete the State of Colorado Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination course within 14 days of start date

• Have high attention to detail in cleaning and maintaining park facilities
• Perform routine maintenance on state-owned equipment and vehicles
• Have experience with basic cleaning, carpentry, plumbing, masonry, and/or electrical work
• Have experience or be willing to learn how to use a tractor, zero-turn mower, and other various landscaping equipment
• Have experience or be willing to learn chainsaw operation
• Have experience or be willing to learn flood irrigation and sprinkler systems

• Be 16 years of age
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Complete and pass a criminal background check
• Be currently certified in First Aid/CPR/AED prior to start date
• Be able to work varied shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Be able to perform physically strenuous outdoor activities in all weather conditions
• Be willing to lift 50-100 pounds repeatedly through the course of a workday

• Have knowledge of Highline Lake State Park fees and amenities
• Have general knowledge of the Grand Valley area to provide directions, information, and recommendation to other local attractions
• Have principles and processes for providing excellent customer service to visitors in person, on the phone, and through written communication such as email and social media
• Provide information and assistance to visitors by distributing maps and brochures, orienting visitors to park facilities and amenities, selling gift certificates, search and rescue cards, boat registrations, OHV registrations and snowmobile registrations, and fishing and hunting licenses
• Operate a point of sale system and make accurate change
• Accurately inventory and sell retail items such as ice, firewood, retail merchandise, etc.
• Manage and inventory the park’s loaner equipment program such as life jackets, fishing poles, etc.
• Promote, plan, and assist with interpretive and educational programs
• Maintain cleanliness of the Visitor Center, West Gate, and other facilities as requested
• Be bilingual or speak/understand basic Spanish

• Be 16 years of age
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Complete and pass a criminal background check
• Be currently certified in First Aid/CPR/AED prior to start date
• Be able to work varied shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Be able to perform physically strenuous outdoor activities in all weather conditions
• Be willing to lift 50-100 pounds repeatedly through the course of a workday

• Have high attention to detail to perform systematic boat inspections and decontaminations to the high standard of the ANS Program
• Conduct boater interviews to establish previous and future boating locations to prevent spread of ANS
• Have great communication skills to provide boaters with ANS education and information through verbal and written methods
• Accurately count and record boat inspections utilizing the ANS tablet and database
• Have technical experience or be willing to learn to use the decontamination trailer (high pressure sprayer) and tankless units
• Be willing to work shifts at Highline Lake State Park and work shifts at the Loma Port of Entry along I-70, mile marker 15

• Be 16 years of age
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license
• Complete and pass a criminal background check
• Be currently certified in First Aid/CPR/AED prior to start date
• Be able to work varied shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Be able to perform physically strenuous outdoor activities in all weather conditions
• Be able to climb in and out of boats and trailers to perform inspections
• Be willing to lift 50-100 pounds repeatedly through the course of a workday
• Take and pass the State of Colorado Watercraft Inspection and Decontamination course within 14 days of start date

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be at least 16 years of age. (Park Ranger applicants must be 21 years old.)
• Must have a valid drivers’ license.
• Must be able to work outdoors and on weekends, holidays, and varied shifts.
• Must undergo and pass a criminal background investigation.
• Possess strong interpersonal communication skills (written and oral).
• Ability to work with little supervision.
• Some uniform items will be provided, however, employees will be required to purchase limited uniform items at their own expense.
• Miscellaneous: Must be available for up to 40 hours per week and commit to a minimum 5 month work season. Employment is for a maximum of 40 hours a week for 9 months. Flexible with school schedules.

Supplemental Information